Preview: Crewe Alex v Newport County

Eddie Nolan is beaten the to ball by the fists of keeper Joe Day when Crewe Alex visited Newport earlier this season (Image: Kevin Warburton - A Moment in Sport)

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Team news: Eddie Nolan (calf) remains a big doubt for Crewe, who have an otherwise fit but smaller squad, after the exits of loan duo Corey Whelan and

David Artell says: "We are back at home, our home form has been good and we have to make sure that continues.

"I think (Newport) hadn't been having a good run until Sunday, or as fruitful as normal. Michael won't change the way they play - they are very much an 'up and at you' kind of team, and they get results.

They've got Padraig (Amond) and Jamille (Matt) up front who score goals, and a young lad from Bristol City who is a bit of a threat, and we have to look after that.

Michael Flynn says: "(Crewe) are an up and down team. They started the season beating Morecambe 6-0, we lost 3-0, and Crewe had won the league and we were relegated.

“Then we beat them the next weekend It’s a strange old world, football. It’s crazy. But it doesn’t count for anything now. We’ve got to go there and get the three points but it’s going to be tough because they’ve got some very good players."

The lowdown: Newport are enjoying another strong season, and are certainly in the hunt for a Play Off spot. But their away form is suspect, with just three road wins all season and five consecutive league losses on their travels.

However, they will be coming to Gresty Road on a massive high after knocking Premier League side Leicester City out of the FA Cup in front of the live cameras on Sunday. They grabbed the headlines with a 2-1 success which will no doubt give them a boost heading into this weekend’s clash.

One to watch: Striker Padraig Amond is the main goal-getter for County.

The 30-year-old former Accrington and Morecambe man has averaged almost a goal every two games since signing for the club in summer 2017, and has 16 to his name already this term – including the winner against Crewe last August and the clincher against Leicester.

Last meeting: Amond’s 33rd minute strike was enough to earn Newport a 1-0 win when the sides met at Rodney Parade earlier this season.

Memory Lane: Goals from Alan Tewley and Alan Bradshaw earned a 2-0 home victory for Crewe over Newport in 1970..